The Topps team sets gave us a sneak preview of what to expect for the former NL MVP.
He is wearing a throwback uniform on the front of the card.
It could have mentioned how he was leading the league in walks and second in runs scored at time of his injury.
It could have mentioned how he is one of only 3 players in history (along with Barry Bonds and Mike Schmidt) to walk 3 times, score 4 runs, homer, and drive in a pair of runs. This statistic is mind blowing that only 3 people have done it and that is some REALLY GOOD company to be grouped with.
It could have mentioned his charity work he has done over the years.
It could have mentioned the team chemistry he tries to create no matter where he plays.
It could have mentioned something, anything.
But instead it just mentions his stats and his 1.5 WAR last year in only 59 games and his nearly 50 career WAR in his 11 year career thus far.
How do you feel about just stats on the back of a baseball card? Would you prefer some interesting fact or do you just want the stats?
The front photo is great, I like those Phillies throwbacks.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a problem with the lack of text on a flagship card; full stats should be the priority and if they can squeeze in a sentence or two, great. If not, save it for another set.
That's a great point; there are so many sets being produced today, and few of them have really good text. So if they're going to write something good, there are plenty of places to use it. Flagship should have full stats.
DeleteI think it depends. Complete statistics are always nice. So for veterans like Cutch, it's okay to see no text. However when guys have only been in the league for five or less years, it'd be cool to see interesting facts or illustrations rather than empty space.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I think it's mind blowing that someone went out and researched the information about Cutch, Schmidt, and Bonds being the only hitters in MLB history to walk 3 times, score 4 runs, homer, and drive in 2 runs.
With few exceptions, Topps flagship traditionally displays complete stats. Most of us prefer that over text but text is appreciated when there is room.
ReplyDeleteFor players with a lot of years of stats, Topps will either omit the narrative, make the stat lines so small as to be barely readable, or both.
ReplyDeleteI prefer the first option.
I'm ok with just stats for players with a lot of years. McCutchen is on the cusp of having too many lines/years. But, Topps is wasting too much space on the card back. Something noteworthy could easily have been put in for him. Like how he was the key piece on the team because after he went out they went in a free-fall to mediocrity.
ReplyDelete